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Dutch beach volleyball player Steven van de Velde has been one of the most talked about athletes at the 2024 Paris Olympics. The conversations, however, have not been about his sporting abilities.
Van de Velde was convicted in 2016 of having sex with a 12-year-old girl in England. He was initially sentenced to four years in prison in 2016 before serving a combined 13 months in prison in Britain and the Netherlands.
His criminal record resurfaced recently after he qualified for the Olympics as part of one of the top two Dutch teams on the international tour. After serving his sentence in 2017, he began competing in beach volleyball once again.
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Expecting a tough time, the 29-year-old had requested to be exempted from staying in the Olympic Village and has also been allowed to skip the post-match mixed zone interviews.
The Dutch Olympic Committee earlier announced that in light of Van de Velde’s participation, they have put concrete measures in place to ensure a safe sporting environment for all Olympics participants.
“Van de Velde has consistently remained transparent about the case which he refers to as the most significant misstep of his life. He deeply regrets the consequences of his actions for those involved. He has been open about the personal transformation he has undergone as a result,” they said.
The International Olympic Committee has stated that they were satisfied with the explanation given by the Dutch Olympic Committee regarding the participation of Van de Velde.
Steven van de Velde faces fans' ire at Paris Olympics
Information about Steven van de Velde spread quickly as fans at the Paris Olympics greeted him with boos when he walked out for his first beach volleyball match on Sunday (July 28).
When his name was announced, fans at the Eiffel Tower Stadium in central Paris rose in unison to boo him. When teammate Matthew Immers' name was announced, they immediately turned their boos into cheers.
The Dutch pair took on Alex Ranghieri and Adrian Ignacio Carambula Raurich in the opening match. The Italians won the first set 22-20 before the Dutchmen won the second 21-19. Ranghieri and Raurich then clinched the third set 15-13 to seal the victory.
